Bishop Gregory wants new laws to target scammers

Barrington Flemming, Gleaner Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

Reverend Dr. Howard Gregory, the Anglican Lord Bishop of Jamaica, is raising concerns about the continued absence of legislation to deal with the illicit lotto scam, which is steadily eroding Jamaica's international image.

"How do you explain that after we have such a major problem with scamming we do not have legislation to deal with it," asked Gregory, while addressing a press conference, in Montego Bay, to announce the 38th Triennial Synod of the Church in the Province of the West Indies from November 10-16 in Montego Bay.

INEXCUSABLE

"It is inexcusable," added Gregory. "We are facing a serious danger as a nation and those in charge of governance must work through the necessary legislation to pin down those who are involved and put a stop to this serious smearing of the country."

In focusing on some of the other issues now plaguing Jamaica, Gregory said rape, child abuse and the violence directed at a child are symptomatic of a breakdown in the family structure.

"Child abuse and violence directed at a child is broader than that, it is a family issue which we need to look at," said the highly respected churchmen. "Rape is not about sex, rape is about violence and control."

Quoting from data recently released in the national census, Gregory said the data showed that a significant number of the nation's youth are not involved in the life of the church and believe it is being reflected in their conduct and attitude.

"No denomination, no church can take comfort in how good their numbers look at this point in time," the bishop said. "It must be a matter of concern for all churches that a significant number of our young population falls outside the ambit of the influence."

While noting that the church has been quite active in providing services and granting assistance to many, Gregory said a greater impact may be to engage in peer counselling and other forms of behaviour modification modalities with the youth.

"We have also been looking at peer counselling, the church needs to be involved in it," said Gregory, arguing that there is enough resources in the church to more effectively assist the youths in their communities.

The upcoming Synod will be held at the Hollis Peter Lynch Multi-purpose Building, Church of the Holy Trinity at Westgate, in Montego Bay. Its opening service is scheduled for the historic St James Parish Church on Sunday, November 11, commencing at 4 p.m.

The week-long event, which will be staged under the theme, 'The Quality of Life Challenges and Response', will focus on social issues affecting the region as well as plan strategies to combat the disturbing trends in the region's human development index.